ChitraKatha and the opportunity to get creatively rejuvenated

In an era of consumerism, deadlines rule. None are spared… not even the creative clan.

Day in and day out, rather 24/7, performances are measured not qualitatively and subjectively but in quantified metrics and objectively. Deadlines follow deadlines follow deadlines and what we give is not ‘the best we are capable of‘, but ‘the best under the circumstances‘, a diluted, workable option that consumers (we all are) in the fast track can snack at…..

Creative work and art becomes mechanical and formulaic…. and lost as we are, we don‘t even have the time to take cognizance…..

nullIn such a scenario, the international animation festival, NID Chitrakatha being held from Oct 25 – 27 at NID in Ahmedabad promises to be that potent pause, that whiff of rejuvenating fresh air that most of us creative folks only dream of!

The good thing is, that this time around its within our reach and we can participate!

Just being at NID and simply gazing around informs one‘s aesthetics by sheer osmosis. With a spirited festival like ChitraKatha that celebrates animation and originality, one can sure expect to get thoroughly drenched in the gushing spring of this beautiful art form and enjoy the liveliness of animation that makes our Industry so special.

Keeping with the philosophy of NID which gives its students room for thought and encourages them to think, explore and expirement…. the festivals and activities at NID Chitra Katha festival too have been scheduled in a manner that makes room for improvisation, exploration and surprises…..

With nearly a week to go, the special Chitra Katha task force at NID is organically shaping the festival amidst frenzy of creative chaos.

Festival Director Sekhar Mukerjee shares “Look at the perfect timing, already there is garba and durga pooja happening and then we have the festival of animation. It is celebration time! There may be hiccups, but at the end ChitraKatha is going to be extremely sentimental moment for all of us. Nostalgic and at the same time forward looking, we will also have debates, discssions that will bring forth different points of view and a direction for the future. There will be a mix of creative professionals and students and international guests as well making the festival a global village. We are very happy that support is coming in from everywhere. In fact rather then speaking, I want to draw a few lines on the wall and express the animator inside me just like neanderthal man in the cave of Altamera….. and that‘s what Chitra Katha is going to be about, expressing creativity and points of view and an abundance of animation films and art for people to watch, admire and be inspired by.”

Here is the list of scheduled programs for all the three days
(Plz note that there would be a lot more surprise activities, screenings, exhibits and a lot more that has not been put into a rigid schedule format)

25.10.2007 | Thursday

Time

Event

Venue

10:30

Manthan-Inauguration of Chitrakatha exhibition of NID students, teachers and alumni work and press meet. Inaugural Speech by Dr. Darlie O Koshy, Director, NID

Design Gallery

11:30

Designers Mind- A Retrospective on Charles & Ray Eames’s animation works by Professor S Balaram, Dean, D J Academy of Design, Coimbatore

Auditorium

13:00

LUNCH for delegates

16:00

Lullaby-IP development for Preschoolers presented by Prakash Moorthy, Head, Animation Department Miditech, India

Auditorium

Free time

18:00

20 years of NID Animation-wide range of students projects from past till today. Presented by Binita Desai, Associate Professor, Animation Designer, DAIICT, Gandhinagar

Auditorium

19:00

Competition screening I

Auditorium

Dining out with guests

26.10.2007 | Friday

10:00

Sprouting Parables-work in progress presentation by NID animation students. Moderated by Sekhar Mukherjee, Coordinator, Animation Department, NID

Auditorium

Free time

13:00

LUNCH for delegates

14:00

Surprise Surprise !!! – a workshop

Old Canteen

15:00

Hothouse- panel discussion on animation education and industry trends.

Panel members will be a mix bag of Industry professionals, producers & educators.
Moderated by Anand Gurnani(AnimationXpress.com)

Auditorium

17:00

Spanish Animation Scene- A selection of recent short animation films. Presentation by Isabel Herguera, Director ANIMAC

Auditorium

19:00

Competition Screening II

Auditorium

20:00

Animated Feature

Auditorium

27.10.2007 | Saturday

10:00

Bestiario-Presentation of the imaginary world of Jose Belmonte, Basque Illustration Artist, San Sebastian, Spain.

Auditorium

10:30

Flipbook workshop for NID community children

Old Canteen

11:00

An Experimental Path-Selected works of Cal Arts students’ graduation films. Presented by Isabel Herguera

Auditorium

12:00

Competition Screening III

Auditorium

13:00

Lunch

14:00

Visual Effects Society Presentation

Auditorium

15:00

Toon Preacher-pitching for animated series – a presentation by Cartoon Network team

Auditorium

Free time

18:00

Indian Masala – Screening of short animation films that celebrate Indian art forms presented by Nina Sabnani, Research Scholar, IDC, IIT Mumbai.

Auditorium

19:00

Award Ceremony and Valedictory session. Closing speech by Dr. Darlie O Koshy, Director, NID

Auditorium

19:30

After mint-Special screening of 3 Indian Animated shorts made by new animators of India.

Auditorium

Ethnic Dinner and Music for Delegates

Amphitheatre

————————————————-

Apart from the scheduled programme at main auditorium NID will broadcast the show in the campus foyer.

Boardroom will be available for guests‘ meetings, presentations and networking.

At the NID foyer there will be a �Chitrakatha’ info booth for queries.

Chitrakatha will publish a post festival monograph.

NID student body will do pre-selection of films whereas eminent guests and professionals of various backgrounds will do the final selection during the festival.

Chitrakatha’07 manifests the celebration of Indian subcontinent and Indian-ness through the medium of Animation with the global animation community.

* Programs are subject to change without prior notice.

ChitraKatha is supported by Animac (Artistic Partner), Cartoon Network (Event Partner), Autodesk (Technology Partner), AnimationXpress.com (Industry Relations & Community Media Partner), CG Tantra (Community Partner), Channel V (On Air Partner), Animation Reporter (Print Media Partner), The Animation Society of India and The Embassy of Spain in India..

In the spirit of the festival, next week onwards AnimationXpress.com shall publish messages, blogs, jottings, doodles, guest articles by NID Alumni, as well as by everyone and anyone who wishes to participate in this great event…..

So stay tuned and send in your messages…….

connect@animationxpress.com